A gift box unveiled at John Lennon Airport to support the United Nations and Merseyside Police team up to tackle human trafficking and honour violence. Merseyside Police and crime commissioner Jane Kennedy (right), DCI Natalie Perischine and DC Matt Blackburne.

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Passengers flying in and out of Liverpool John Lennon Airport are being confronted by a giant walk-in art installation shaped like a gift box to draw attention to the issue of human trafficking.

The “gift box” is meant to represent the false promises made to people lured from their home country by traffickers.

The initiative from Merseyside Police’s protecting vulnerable people (PVP) unit comes just days after new slavery legislation came into effect giving the courts tougher sentencing powers against offenders.

On the outside of the 11ft high, brightly wrapped gift boxes - belonging to campaign group “Stop the Traffik”, who work closely with the United Nations - are promises such as “See the world and earn good money”.

But anyone who walks inside will be confronted with real life stories from UK victims showing the grim reality of what they face once taken abroad - such as sexual exploitation, forced marriage, organised street crime, domestic servitude and forced labour.

The gift boxes were first used at the London Olympics and this week’s initiative follows ongoing work at the airport by the force’s PVP unit to raise awareness about the hidden issues of honour-based violence, forced marriage and female genital mutilation.

Young women in Liverpool and throughout the rest of the country are being lured or coerced abroad in similar circumstances often under immense pressure from their own family and community.

Detective Chief Inspector Natalie Perischine from the PVP unit said the giant gift boxes would get people talking about the issue and help the police to share information with potential victims.

A gift box unveiled at John Lennon Airport to support the United Nations and Merseyside Police team up to tackle human trafficking and honour violence. Merseyside Police and crime commissioner Jane Kennedy, DCI Natalie Perischine and DC Matt Blackburne.

She said: “Thousands of people pass through the airport every day to destinations throughout the world, including countries where harmful practices such as forced marriage and female genital mutilation are culturally still acceptable.

“However, these traditions are not acceptable in the UK and can constitute a whole range of offences covered by domestic violence legislation and the modern slavery act.

“Between 10,000 and 20,000 people are thought to be trafficked in and out of the country every year but only a small proportion of these cases are brought to the attention of the police and other agencies.

“We need to change that and one of the ways is by helping the victims themselves understand what is happening to them is wrong and can be prevented if they speak out. It is also important to raise awareness of this global issue amongst the general public and by having these interactive art installations thanks to Stop The Traffik campaign group and the UN, we will be able to educate travellers about how they can help.

“The force has officers who are specially trained to investigate these crimes with sensitivity and I would encourage anyone who is a victim or has information to find the courage to come forward and speak to us. People can call officers on 0151 777 4079.”

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside, Jane Kennedy, is supporting the police initiative and has recently launched a new Victim Care Merseyside website for victims of these types of crimes.

Ms Kennedy said: “This gift box brings to life the grim reality of what may lie in store for those vulnerable victims who are lured by modern day slavers.

“It tells the true stories of real people who have been exploited and abused.

“By hosting this gift box at the airport, our aim is to increase awareness of this issue among people not just here on Merseyside, but also national and international visitors.

“Trafficking is not something that happens in other countries, it happens here too. We need to help people to spot the warning signs and make sure those vulnerable people who do become enslaved and rescued then have the care and support they need.”